Islamabad: A special chartered flight carrying 318 Pakistanis, who had been stranded in Syria due to recent unrest, landed at Islamabad International Airport on Thursday. The evacuation was made possible through a coordinated effort by the Pakistani government, with substantial support from Lebanon.  

The passengers had been relocated to Lebanon as the situation in Syria escalated. Upon their arrival in Islamabad, they were warmly welcomed by Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal, along with officials from the Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis, and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).  

Gratitude for Lebanese support

Minister Ahsan Iqbal expressed his thanks to Lebanon for issuing visas to the stranded Pakistanis, a move facilitated by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s direct engagement with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati.  

During his address, Ahsan Iqbal emphasised the importance of PM Shehbaz’s leadership, which included overseeing daily reviews to ensure the safe return of nationals from Syria. "Wherever Pakistanis face challenges, they are not alone. The government stands with them," Iqbal reassured.  

Efforts amidst Syrian crisis 

The evacuation became urgent following a swift offensive by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group and its allies, which resulted in the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's five-decade rule. Pakistan’s ambassador played a crucial role in facilitating the evacuation, ensuring the stranded citizens’ departure from Beirut Airport on Thursday morning.  

In addition to the reception at Islamabad Airport, the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis set up a help desk to assist the returning citizens. Refreshments were provided, and the NDMA coordinated transportation to ensure the passengers reached their destinations safely.  

Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch also addressed the situation during a press briefing, reaffirming Pakistan’s support for Syria’s sovereignty and the right of the Syrian people to determine their future free from external interference.

ANI